HAMPDEN -- Fire Chief Michael Gorski is pushing the town to hire a handful of full-time firefighters to man the understaffed Hampden Volunteer Fire Department, particularly on weekdays, when most of the department's two dozen or so volunteers are working their real jobs.

Hiring at least three full-timers to staff the North Road fire station during regular weekday hours would put the town in a better position in terms of response time and reducing catastrophic events, according to Gorski, who has shared his concerns with the Hampden Board of Selectmen.

"The sooner we can get three or more firefighters to a fire call, the greater the chances of extinguishing the fire and minimizing the damage and the safer it is for those responding firefighters," Gorski said in an open letter to the community, which he posted on the Hampden Fire Department's Facebook page on Feb. 22.

The letter, titled "Why Three Firefighters," is partly educational, sharing the chief's public safety concerns with town taxpayers, and partly a lobbying effort to bolster the department's ranks with some paid, full-time firefighters. Adding three full-time positions would cost Hampden roughly $250,000 annually, according to Gorski's calculations.

"We want to make sure the citizens of Hampden are aware of the critical shortfall in public safety that currently exists," said Gorski, who has urged selectmen to hire at least three full-time firefighters to provide station coverage Monday through Friday during regular business hours.

Gorski, in his capacity as chief, can only make recommendations about the town's public safety needs. "It is up to the elected leaders and the taxpayers as to what the community wants and can afford," he said.

Most of the department's current volunteers are unable to respond to weekday calls because almost all of them have jobs outside of Hampden, according to Gorski. Making matters worse, more than half of the Fire Department's calls for service occur on weekdays, "when we are unable to guarantee that any volunteer firefighters may be able to respond," the chief said.

When it comes to fighting a basic house fire, at least three people are needed to operate the hose -- one firefighter to stay with the truck to work the panel and monitor and regulate water pressure, and two firefighters to handle fire suppression efforts, according to Gorski. But Hampden often finds itself short-staffed and relying heavily on mutual aid from other area fire departments, some of which beat Hampden firefighters to the their own fire scenes.

"It takes a large force of firefighters to safely operate at a working fire," Gorski said. "We may rely on mutual aid to supplement our initial attack, but it is just a matter of time in the Town of Hampden that there may be no initial attack by the Hampden Fire Department because there are no responders in town."

Another disadvantage is Hampden's lack of hydrants, requiring water to be trucked to every fire scene. The first engine typically carries about 2,000 gallons of water, with additional water brought to the scene and stored in a portable folding drop tank that resembles a large kiddie pool. That tank is then repeatedly refilled with water throughout a fire event.

For these and other reasons, it's time for Hampden to consider changing its current approach to firefighting in this town of 5,100, according to fire officials. Hampden is home to two public schools, several churches, a shopping center, grocery store, gas station, industrial park, computer software company, and GreatHorse, a new upscale golf club, among many other businesses and residential properties.

"Firefighting is an inherently hazardous activity," Gorski said. "Our mission at the Hampden Fire Department is to save lives and property, but we may not be able to do that using the current model with no guarantee of minimal staffing."

Recent big fires, including one that wiped out a historic mansion know as "The Castle" in December 2016, have underscored the need for change, according to those who support adding some full-time firefighters to the department.

So far, Gorski's Facebook entreaties have been well-received by Hampden residents, many of whom have pledged their support for adding paid professionals to the ranks of the Fire Department.

"I support this wholeheartedly," said local photographer and Hampden resident Craig Rivest. "If there is anything that I can do to help bring more light to this topic, please let me know."

Meanwhile, Gorski has expressed his willingness to talk to or meet with local citizens, businesses or civic groups to further explain why changes are needed. Questions may be directed to the Fire Department at 413-566-3314.